Power input to aquariums



Jan. 13, 1970 B. J. BUCHANAN 26-753 POWER INPUT TO AQUARIUMS Original Filed Dec. 13, 1965 Ifra- 1- fvvewro. BEVEELY J Bun-mun [77' TOENEFJ.

United States Patent Int. Cl. A01k 63/00 U.S. Cl. 119--5 14 Claims Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [II appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An aquarium tank safely incorporating current utilizing devices through interposition of a stepdown transformer between the household current supply and the devices within the tank to reduce the voltage to safe levels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates generally to operation of aquariums and more specifically concerns the transmission of electrical power into aquarium tanks for operating power utilization devices therein.

It is a major object of the invention to facilitate transmission of electrical power in as simple a manner as pos sible to electrical devices within an aquarium tank so that the devices may operate even though submerged in tank water. Where a number of such devices are to be operated, the number of lines extending into the tank becomes unwieldy and unattractive; also, it becomes ditlicult to safely and effectively transmit power at normal home power service voltages to submerged devices, since the more such devices are utilized, the greater is the chance that an aquarist will be endangered by eletrical shock upon hand contact with the water.

The present invention makes possible an unusually advantageous solution to the above problem, using simple equipment. Basically, the solution involves the provision of a voltage step down transformer and an electrical lead of a length to extend into the tank interior to transmit electrical current at a safe low voltage level, i.e. less than volts, to a utilization device submerged in the tank interior. Typically, terminal means such as may include multiple sockets or plugs have electrical connection with the single lead so as to be submerged within the tank, whereby the multiple lines leading to the utilization devices may be submerged and concealed. As a result, only one lead extends into the tank, the transformer may be concealed outside the tank, the multiple leads leading to the utilization devices are concealed within the tank, and power is transmitted to operate all the devices at safe, low voltage levels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of illustrative embodiments, will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical elevation taken in section through an aquarium tank embodying the invention; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing one form of submerged plug and socket assembly that may be used.

Reissued Jan. 13, 1970 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. i, the aquarium tank 10 is filled with water 11 to surface level 12, and has side walls 13 as well as bottom wall 14. In accordance with the invention, means provided to transmit electrical power from the exterior to the interior of the tank includes a voltage step-down transformer and an electrical lead extending into the tank interior to transmit current at a voltage level less than 10 volts to a utilization device submerged in the tank water.

A voltage step-down transformer is indicated at 15 as having a primary and secondary windings 16 and 17, the former connected via lead 18 with plug 19 adapted to supply normal home power service at volts AC. Secondary coil 17, which has fewer windings than coil 16, is connected with lead 20 of a length to extend from the exterior to the interior of tank 10. Typically, single lead 20 may be adhesively bonded to the inside and outside surfaces of wall 13, so as to remain substantially out of sight. As is clear, the lead extends over edge 21 of the wall.

Located within the tank so as normally to be exposed to water therein is what may be referred to as terminal means to which lead 20 has electrical connection. FIGS. 1 and 2 show one such terminal means in the form of plugs 22 and sockets 23 submerged and concealed as below the top 30 of the sand and gravel layer 45 in the tank. Plugs 22 have pins 24 that may be inserted into openings 25 in the socket body 26 for making electrical contact with the sockets 23 to which lead 20 has electrical connection.

Connected with the plugs 22 are multiple leads 31, 34 and 41 that are concealed below surface 30, the leads running to different low voltage power utilization devices. For example, lead 31 runs to an electrical light 32. which may be safely operated under water at 6 volts for illumination purposes, an illuminated miniature tree 33 being representative.

Lead 34 is concealed and runs to an electrical motor driven pump 35, also indicated at P. Submerged and concealed ducts 36 and 37 circulate aquarium water from inlet 38 to filter 39, then through the pump 35 and to outlet 40. Lead 41 supplies heater plate 42 with power, a thermostat 43 being connected in series with that lead to control the operation of the plate so as to keep the water temperature within a predetermined range. Devices 35 and 42 may be operated with power at about 6 volts.

As is clear from the drawings, the aquarists observation of the tank and the marine life therein is completely undisturbed by power operated components, devices and leads; the powered equipment is operated underwater at low voltage, obviating dangerous shocking problems; and one or more of the utilization devices may be disconnected simply by removing a plug pin 24 from its socket at the concealed terminal means as represented in FIG. 2. Also, only a single lead 20 is needed for transmitting power to the interior of the tank.

I claim:

1. In combination. an aquarium tank having an upright side wall, and means to transmit electrical power from the exterior to the interior of the tank, said means including a voltage step-down transformer and an insulated electrical lead extending into the water in the tank interior to transmit current at a voltage level less than 10 volts to a utilization device submerged in the tank water, said transformer being located outside the tank and said lead extending from the transformer into the tank to a submerged location therein.

2. The combination of claim 1 including said utilization device having an electrical terminal exposed to water within the tank.

3. The combination of claim 1 in which the transformer has windings to reduce the voltage supplied to said lead to about six volts.

4. The combination of claim 1 including plug and socket means within the tank to which said lead has electrical connection.

5. The combination of claim 3, in which said device comprises an electrical light.

6. The combination of claim 3, in which said device comprises an electrical heater.

7. The combination of claim 3, in which said device comprises an electrical motor.

8. The combination of claim 1, in which said lead is adhesively bonded to said wall.

9. For combination with an aquarium tank having an upright side wall and an electrical utilization device within the tank, a voltage step-down transformer exterior of the tank, an insulated electrical lead of a length to extend from the transformer on the exterior to a submerged position in the interior of the tank, and terminal means to which said lead has electrical connection exposed to water within the tank, the said transformer having voltage stepdown windings to reduce the voltage of current transmitted to the terminal means to less than volts, said utilization means being connected to said terminal means.

10. In combination, an aquarium tank having an upright side wall, and means to transmit electrical power from the exterior to the interior of the tank, said means including a voltage step down transformer and an insulated electrical lead extending into the water in the tank interior to transmit current at a safe voltage level to a utilization device submerged in the tank water, said transformer being located outside the tank and said lead extending from the transformer into the tank to a submerged location therein.

11. The combination of claim 10 in which the transformer has windings to reduce the voltage supplied to said lead to a level too low for dangerous shocking.

12. The combination of claim 10 in which said lead is secured to said wall.

13. For combination with an aquarium tank having an upright side wall and an electrical utilization device within the tank, a voltage step-down transformer exteriorly of the tank, an insulated electrical lead of a length to extend from the transformer to a submerged position in the tank, and terminal means to which said lead has electrical C'Olllnection exposed to water within the tank, said utilization device connected to said terminal means, the said transformer having step-down windings reducing the voltage supplied to the terminal means to safe levels.

14. In combination, an aquarium tank and a current utilization device submerged within the tank, means supplying current to the device including a power supply at a voltage producing a shock hazard in the tank if connected directly to the device and means for reducing the voltage of the current passing to the utilization device from said power supply means, said voltage reducing means comprising a step-down transformer.

References Cited The following references, cited by Examiner, are of record in the patented file of the patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,803,571 5/1931 Ulman 2402 1,939,583 12/ 1933 Welshausen l195 X 2,566,990 9/1951 Mahle 1195 X 3,018,758 1/1962 Arnould 1195 3,185,829 5/1965 Rau 2404 3,234,905 2/ 1966 Olson 119-5 3,276,428 10/1966 Burch 119-5 3,292,579 12/1966 Buchanan 119--5 3,303,819 2/1967 Wade 1195 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,267,479 6/ 1961 France.

ALDRICH F. MEDBERY, Primary Examiner 

